Columbus, OH to Blanchard, OH is 71 miles and takes about 1 hour 36 minutes via SR 31 and US 33, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Ohio, making it a straightforward regional journey. Expect a drive that's largely on well-maintained highways, offering a quick and efficient way to travel between these two points. Given its short duration and focus on main roads, this route is ideal for a simple day trip or a quick leg of a larger adventure.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.5 miles from Columbus, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 45m into the drive
.
Columbus is the capital of the American state of Ohio and is located centrally within the state as the core of the Greater Columbus area. Sited in an area where the Rust Belt, Bible Belt, Appalachia, and the Farm Belt meet, Columbus is a fusion of many different parts of America. It is the home of the Ohio State University. The combination of Ohio Government and the Ohio State University has fueled amazing growth both financially and physically in Columbus. It has created a business and research environment that has provided substantial employment opportunities to the diverse ethnic and local graduates of the Ohio State University, and other academic institutions in Columbus. The Ohio Supercomputer Center (OSC), is projected to be one of the top 50 supercomputers in the world and among the top 10 supercomputing academic centers.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 36m. Total distance: 71 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 94% of the journey taking place on main roads like SR 31 and US 33. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including one segment of 22.3 miles on SR 31 without interruption. The character of the route is largely about efficient travel, so be prepared for an experience dominated by the open road and steady progress rather than winding country lanes.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
SR 31 is the longest continuous segment at about 22.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on SR 31 and US 33. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South High Street.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71 miles you will encounter 21 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South High Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (Civic Center Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|South High Street
Turn left onto South High Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|Civic Center Drive
At end of road, turn left onto Civic Center Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
7.1 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward I 270
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 93
Toward I 270
8
16.1 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the exit toward US 33 West, SR 161 West: Marysville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 17B
Toward US 33 West, SR 161 West: Marysville
8
33.4 mi into trip|~41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 31: Kenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 31: Kenton
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Columbus, OH to Blanchard, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Kenton along the way.
Kenton
33.1 mi in|~40m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
SR 31
22.3 mi
32m
US 33
16.7 mi
18m
State Route 31
8.4 mi
11m
Jack Nicklaus Freeway
8 mi
9m
West Freeway
5.6 mi
6m
United States Highway 68
5.1 mi
7m
SR 701
0.8 mi
1m
South Innerbelt
0.6 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
SR 31
— 22.3 mi, about 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbus, OH and Blanchard, OH.
1
Start on this road
77 ft·5 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto East State Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·East State Street
3
Turn left onto South High Street
494 ft·20 sec·South High Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto West Town Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·West Town Street
5
At end of road, turn left onto Civic Center Drive
0.2 mi·27 sec·Civic Center Drive
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on South 2nd Street
0.1 mi·30 sec·South 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I-70 West
8
Merge onto I 70
0.6 mi·49 sec·South Innerbelt
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Continue on I 70
5.6 mi·6 min·West Freeway
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 93Toward I 270Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 270 North: ClevelandUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 270
8.0 mi·9 min·Jack Nicklaus Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 17BToward US 33 West, SR 161 West: MarysvilleUse the right lane.
14
Merge onto US 33; SR 161
17 mi·18 min·US 33; SR 161
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 92Toward SR 4 North, SR 31: Marion, Kenton
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward SR 31: KentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
370 ft·9 sec
Toward SR 31: Kenton
18
Keep slight left at fork
419 ft·12 sec
Toward Maple Street
19
Turn right onto SR 31
0.1 mi·15 sec·North Maple Street
20
Continue on SR 31
0.8 mi·1 min·State Route 31
21
Enter roundabout onto State Route 31
92 ft·1 sec·State Route 31
22
Continue on State Route 31
7.6 mi·10 min·State Route 31
23
Continue on SR 31
22 mi·32 min·SR 31
24
Turn left onto West Eliza Street
358 ft·17 sec·West Eliza Street
25
Turn right onto US 68
0.3 mi·41 sec·North Detroit Street
26
Continue on US 68
5.1 mi·7 min·United States Highway 68
27
Turn left onto SR 701
0.8 mi·1 min·SR 701
28
Arrive at destination
SR 701
Trip Plan
Starting early from Columbus, OH, will allow you to make good time and arrive in Blanchard, OH well before midday. Since this is a relatively short drive of just over an hour and a half, you won't need to plan for extensive stops, but it's always wise to take a break if you feel fatigued. Keep an eye on your fuel levels; while the estimated cost is low at $11, it's best to start with a full tank. The longest continuous stretch on SR 31 is over 22 miles, so be sure you're comfortable with that duration before you begin.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 35.5 miles from Columbus, OH, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 16 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.5 miles or 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Blanchard, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Columbus, OH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Columbus, OH
This is one driving day of about 71 miles and 1h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Columbus, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on SR 31 for about 22.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35.5 mi from Columbus, OH
· 45m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.02 one way
$22.04 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$12.23
$24.46
premium
$4.91
$13.72
$27.44
diesel
$5.61
$15.68
$31.35
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
3 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Goodale Garage - Tesla Supercharger
Columbus, OH
Tesla
10 DCFC
E Long St Parking Lot
Columbus, OH
EV Connect
2 DCFC
W Poplar Ave Parking
Columbus, OH
Non-Networked
1 DCFC
Non-Networked: 1
Tesla: 1
EV Connect: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.3
0
$7.46
$3.41
Efficient EV
17.8
0
$6.21
$2.84
EV Truck/SUV
28.4
0
$9.94
$4.54
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Columbus, OH
Afternoon
in Columbus on Saturday
Local time
12:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Blanchard, OH
Afternoon
in Blanchard on Saturday
Local time
12:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
15 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 36m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Columbus, OH to Blanchard, OH covers 71 miles and takes about 1h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are SR 31, US 33, State Route 31. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.5 miles from Columbus, OH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.02 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71 miles you will encounter 21 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South High Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (Civic Center Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Columbus, OH to Blanchard, OH, road signs begin pointing toward Kenton along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
